What can result from taking an excessive amount of medication?

Prepare for the NSC First Aid, CPR, and AED Exam. Study with flashcards, multiple choice questions, hints, and explanations. Get exam-ready today!

Taking an excessive amount of medication can lead to a poisoning emergency. When an individual consumes more medication than prescribed or exceeds the recommended dosage, it can overwhelm the body's ability to metabolize and excrete the drug. This can result in toxic effects that vary depending on the specific medication involved, but broadly, symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, confusion, difficulty breathing, or even loss of consciousness.

In the context of the other options, while a stroke and a heart attack can occur due to various health factors, they are typically not directly linked to medication overdose in the same way that a poisoning emergency is. An allergic reaction might also occur as a response to medication, but it does not inherently result from taking excessive amounts; rather, it is usually related to the body’s immune response to a substance. Therefore, the most accurate outcome of taking excessive medication is specifically classified as a poisoning emergency.

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